Squirrel named Stripe that 'attacked 18 people' in two days put down by RSPCA

Corrine Reynolds, a North Wales resident, quickly became enamored with a squirrel which she often fed in her back garden. That was until the squirrel, named Stripe, bit and drew blood of Reynolds and more than a dozen other local residents, The Guardian reported.

Reynolds, 65, said soon after the squirrel started biting people, she caught Stripe in a humane trap and called animal control. Hours later, when she posted her ordeal on a local Facebook page, she realized how many other victims Stripe had.

“In the space of 48 hours he attacked 18 people,” she told The Guardian. “He started attacking people who are just taking their recycling bags to the bin, and they are quite gruesome injuries.”

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One neighbor, Scott Felton, 34, said "the squirrel came out of nowhere, jumped on to my arm and bit me on my hand before I even had chance to get it off – it all happened so quick."

While another neighbor, Sheree Robinson told The Guardian the squirrel bit her on the finger as well as six other neighbors. 

"It had me good and proper. I’ve got teeth marks on the top and bottom of my finger. It latched on and I had to shake it off," Robinson said.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it had to put down the squirrel as it is illegal to release a grey squirrel back into the wild. RSPCA also deters people from feeding squirrels or any wildlife as it "could cause problems for them, you or your neighbors at a later date."

“We were incredibly sad to have to put this squirrel to sleep but were left with no choice due to changes in legislation in 2019 making it illegal to release grey squirrels back into the wild. We do not agree with this law and opposed it, but legally we have to comply," RSPCA told The Guardian.

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda